When a compound developed at Vanderbilt University was used to block a specific form of the enzyme, PLD2, influenza virulence in cell cultures dropped and survival after infection in a mouse model was prolonged.

Normally the virus slips into its host cell in the epithelial lining of the lungs through internalized membrane compartments called endosomes. By delaying this process, the researchers propose, PLD2 inhibitors may give the cell’s innate immune response more time to destroy it.

The compounds are effective against the potentially pandemic influenza strains H3, H5 and H7, as well as common seasonal strains. Previous work has shown that they are not overtly toxic. The researchers are hopeful that they may add to the influenza armamentarium.